Mary Bass Byrd

Mary Bass Byrd, 79, of Raleigh, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on April 18, 2018. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alva and Phronie Bass; her late husband, Richard H. Byrd, and her son, Gilbert Bass.

Mary was raised in the eastern part of NC with her seven siblings. She was a longtime member of Emanuel Baptist Church in Raleigh. She worked as an insurance clerk for the Department of Motor Vehicles for 32 years before retiring. Mary's late husband Richard was a coin dealer and they would travel together all around the United States and some parts of Canada to attend coin shows. Because of this, Mary was able to see parts of the country she would have never been able to see. Mary loved her family, and especially enjoyed time with her grandchildren. She is remembered by her love and devotion to God, her family, and friends. Her generous and loving spirit and pleasant personality touched many. She will be greatly missed by all but the memories she left us with will continue to inspire us all.

Left to cherish her memory is her son, Kenneth Bass and his wife, Cheryl of Fayetteville, NC; grandchildren, Tonya Brooke and her husband, Christopher of Lancaster, CA, Teresa Shivers and her husband Christopher of Midlothian, TX, Matthew Bass of Norfolk, VA, Jeremy Bass of Norfolk, VA and Amanda Leopin and her husband, Lance of Nebo, NC; and great grandchildren, Addison, Alexia, Zachary, Mercedes, Nathan, Devon, Mariah, Adam, Ashly, Dillon, Jacob, Amelia, Justin, Joseph and Matthew Shane. great great grandchild Jaycee; sister, Alpha Bass of Springs Lake, NC; and brother, Leroyce Bass of Fayetteville, NC.

A visitation will be held from 10:00am-11:00am, with a service beginning at 11:00am, at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh. Burial will follow at Raleigh Memorial Park where she will be laid to rest beside her soulmate, Richard H. Byrd.

In lieu of flowers, please make donation in Mary's memory to the Masonic Home for Children (Oxford Orphanage) 600 College St, Oxford, NC 27565.